Former law professor receives award for contributions to N.M. judicial education

Former longtime University of New Mexico School of Law Professor Barbara Bergman received an award honoring her contributions to judicial education in New Mexico.

According to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Bergman was presented the inaugural Rozier E. Sanchez CEI Faculty Award for excellence from The New Mexico Court Education Institute (CEI) during a ceremony at the annual training conference for state court judges in Albuquerque.

CEI Director Paula Couselo-Findikoğlu said Bergman embodies a "passion for service, excellence in education and dedication to the rule of law."

"I am deeply touched to receive this award in honor of Judge Rozier Sanchez, who was dedicated to promoting judicial education. It is a humbling experience," she said. "I am most grateful to New Mexico's amazing judiciary. I always enjoy coming to the Judicial Conclave. In preparation for that, I get to learn so much about the wonderful work the New Mexico courts do."

Bergman began her tenure at the UNM School of Law in 1987. Over the course of 28 years as a Lobo, she held numerous positions, including professor and associate dean for Academic Affairs in the school. Her primary focus was on criminal law, and she annually guided students through an intensive Evidence and Trial Practice course.

As a past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Bergman received the highest honor awarded by the organization in 2001, among various other accolades. She has also taught at the annual New Mexico Judicial Conclave for three decades.

After leaving UNM in 2016, she became the director of Advocacy at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona.

Top photo credit: Administrative Office of the Courts